Casting doubt over traditional plaster cast

Cortex

There are two commonplace items in the world that I’m convinced need a better design; the first is Umbrellas, they break, they don’t protect your lower half and you need to hold them. When I saw the umbrella hat I thought they’d cracked it, alas they never caught on, mainly because people are so worried about what you’d look like a children’s entertainer.

Anyway I digress, the second is plaster casts; I like to scratch, I recently acquired a shoehorn cum backscratcher, a work of art. Plaster casts restrict this, I don’t want to have to get a sowing needle to get to those difficult areas, I don’t want people to write rude messages when I’m clearly in pain and I don’t want to have to deal with the dirt that lurks beneath the bacteria inducing sweatbox. Why has there never been a better solution?

Well, thanks to the wonderful world that is 3D printing, now there is. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present you with Cortex by Jake Evill.

The Victoria University of Wellington graduate’s conceptual design uses a 3D x-ray scan of a patient and then the 3D printed cast can be made to the exact dimensions for ultimate comfort and optimum support.

Printed in Nylon the cast is left hinged and unfastened, so that it can be fitted around the wearer and then fastened around the patient’s arm securing shut with in-built fasteners. Because of the open natured design a patient can shower and wash with ease, without having to wrap in a bin bag! The cast is also so discreet and slim it fits under a normal sleeve.

Though, this being his project may perhaps skew the research the only con for the 3D printed cast Jake could come up with in his research was the initial set-up cost. The pros say the cast is; waterproof, anatomical accuracy and recyclable.